Liow: Suasa Air only has ‘technical approval’ to fly

SEPANG: Suasa Airlines, which claimed to operate Monspace Sky Airlines, only received an Air Operator’s Certificate from the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) which does not allow them to operate flights, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai .

Liow said the airlines were not allowed to operate until they have received an Air Service Permit (ASP) from Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom).

But despite having its ASP rejected, Suasa Airlines went ahead with operations, going as far as to launch its maiden flight last Friday.

On Suasa Airlines' disregard to aviation law, Liow said it was a "very serious offence".

"Without the ASP, they cannot fly. It is because they have flown we have lodged a police report and also started an investigation on this case.

"We are treating this as a very serious offence," Liow told reporters after attending the opening ceremony of the ICAO-WCO Joint conference at Sama-Sama Hotel on Tuesday.

Cabin crews pose for a photograph during the soft launch of Monspace Sky Airline. 

 

On Monspace's claim that the airline has received the necessary permit to fly, Liow said they received only "technical approval" in the form of the Air Operator’s Certificate from the DCA.

They are not allow to operate flights until they have received an ASP from Mavcom, Liow added.

It was earlier reported that to promote their brand, Monspace had invited prominent personalities including former Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, Malaysian singing sensation Shila Amzah and Hong Kong actress Maria Condero to board their inaugural flight.

It was reported that the airline used planes from MAS and had pictures of the "future richest man in the world" Zhang Jian on its tray-tables.

Though its maiden flight arrived at the Langkawi International airport, a check showed that there was no flight from Suasa Airline or Monspace arriving there on Friday.